"There was so much to explore in this sculpture.  The rich colors of the painting with hidden jewels interspersed within.  The magnificent eyes that just seem to bore through you with his intense stare.  The piece is like a Mandala where you are continually exploring new sections of the piece and discovering new exciting details.  A true joy to behold!"
Brenda, Dharma Sculpture

Padmasambhava was the most powerful apostle of Tantricism and is a very eminent saint in the spiritual lineage of the Nyingmapa order of Tibetan Buddhism of which he was the founder.  He was born out of a lotus flower (Padma), in Lake Dhankasha in Udiayana, an ancient city of India.  He received great notoriety as a powerful exorcist and was invited by King Trisong Detsen in ca. 715 to come to Tibet to subdue the local spirits obstructing the introduction of Buddhism.  Using phur-pa (ceremonial "tent-stake") rituals, Padmasambhava convinced the local spirits to become protectors of the Dharma (Dharmapalas).  He lived in Tibet for 50 years.

This piece is the main form of Padmasambhava.  Seated on a double lotus throne, his right hand holding a vajra (dorje), his left hand on his lap holding a kapala (patra).  He carries a tantric staff (khatvanga) surmounted with a trident in the fold of his arm.  He is wearing monastic robes delicately incised and stippled with cloud-like motifs, the hem of his undergarment with foliate designs, large circular rosette earrings, and crown with upturned lappets surmounted by a feather.  His face has an animated expression with a piercing gaze, bulging round eyes, incised arched eyebrows, and small bow shaped mouth.

His face is gilded with 18k gold.  The gold  is crushed into a powder and then made into a paste.  The gold paste is mixed with an organic paint mixture then used to paint the most important part of any Buddha statue; the face.  His robes and body are ornamented with corals, turquoises and many other semi-precious stones.  On the back of the base is the inscription of the Mantra "Om Mani Padme Hum".  The base of the piece is sealed with a double vajra symbolizing the balance of the four elements and harmony of the four directions.  Perhaps the most endearing and beautiful aspect of this piece is the boot which curves around the small foot of Padmasambhava.   This piece is a true masterpiece!

Please email or call us, toll free, with any questions or comments 1(888)DHARMA-4,  info@dharmasculpture.com

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